Check cashing automated banking machine

ABSTRACT

An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The machine includes a card reader that reads data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The machine can communicate with a host computer to cash financial checks. The machine can read check indicia, send check data to the host, receive authorization from the host to cash the check, and dispense cash corresponding to the check. The machine can also produce image data representative of the check indicia and determine whether the data can be accurately identified within a predetermined level of assurance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/214,461 filed Aug. 29, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,584,883.

Ser. No. 11/214,461 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No. 10/830,191 filed Apr. 21, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,638, whichis a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/993,070 filed Nov. 13,2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,111, which claims the benefit under 35 USC§ 119(e) of U.S. provisional application 60/338,919 filed Nov. 5, 2001.U.S. application Ser. No. 09/993,070 is a continuation-in-part of eachof U.S. application Ser. No. 09/911,329 filed Jul. 23, 2001, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,607,081; U.S. application Ser. No. 09/390,929 filed Sep. 7,1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,000; and U.S. application Ser. No.09/664,698 filed Sep. 19, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,194. U.S.application Ser. No. 09/911,329 is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/980,467 filed Nov. 28, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No.6,273,413, and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/633,486 filed Aug. 7, 2000,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,983. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/633,486 is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/135,384 filed Aug.17, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,266, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. application Ser. No. 08/749,260 filed Nov. 15, 1996, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,923,413. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/390,929 claims thebenefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application 60/100,758filed Sep. 17, 1998. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/664,698 claims thebenefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application 60/155,281filed Sep. 21, 1999.

Ser. No. 11/214,461 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/944,224 filed Sep. 16, 2004, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. application Ser. No. 09/723,304 filed Nov. 27, 2000, whichclaims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application60/167,996 filed Nov. 30, 1999. U.S. application Ser. No. 10/944,224also claims the benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of each of U.S.provisional application 60/504,282 filed Sep. 17, 2003; U.S. provisionalapplication 60/504,776 filed Sep. 17, 2003; U.S. provisional application60/503,825 filed Sep. 22, 2003; U.S. provisional application 60/537,581filed Jan. 20, 2004; U.S. provisional application 60/537,788 filed Jan.20, 2004; U.S. provisional application 60/537,795 filed Jan. 20, 2004;and U.S. provisional application 60/584,622 filed Jun. 29, 2004.

Ser. No. 11/214,461 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/168,131 filed Jun. 27, 2005, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. application Ser. No. 11/039,655 filed Jan. 19, 2005. U.S.application Ser. No. 11/168,131 claims the benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C.§ 119(e) of each of U.S. provisional application 60/584,532 filed Jun.29, 2004; U.S. provisional application 60/584,578 filed Jun. 29, 2004;U.S. provisional application 60/584,592 filed Jun. 29, 2004; 60/584,622filed Jun. 29, 2004; U.S. provisional application 60/584,742 filed Jun.29, 2004; and U.S. provisional application 60/678,916 filed May 6, 2005.U.S. application Ser. No. 11/039,655 claims the benefit pursuant to 35U.S.C. § 119(e) of each of U.S. provisional application 60/537,581 filedJan. 20, 2004; U.S. provisional application 60/537,788 filed Jan. 20,2004; U.S. provisional application 60/537,795 filed Jan. 20, 2004; andU.S. provisional application 60/584,622 filed Jun. 29, 2004.

The entire disclosures of each and all of the foregoing applications areincorporated herein by reference as if fully rewritten herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to automated banking machines that operateresponsive to data read from data bearing records which may beclassified in U.S. Class 235, Subclass 379.

BACKGROUND ART

Automated banking machines are known in the prior art. A common type ofautomated banking machine is an automated teller machine (ATM). ATMs maybe used by individuals to receive cash from their accounts, to paybills, to transfer cash between accounts, and to make deposits. CertainATMs also enable customers to deposit checks, money orders, travelerschecks, or other instruments. Such ATMs sometimes have the capability ofcreating an electronic image of a deposited instrument.

ATMs may also provide various types of sheets to customers. Such sheetsinclude currency bills that customers withdraw from the machine.Customers may also receive sheet materials such as money orders, bankchecks, scrip, stamps, or other sheet materials stored in or produced bythe machine. Customers may also receive from an ATM a printed sheetwhich is a receipt indicating the particulars of the transactions theyhave conducted at the machine. In addition customers may request andreceive from some ATMs a more detailed statement of transactionsconducted on their account.

ATMs currently in use often have several different locations on themachine where sheets are received from or delivered to a customer. Forexample, most machines include one area for delivering cash to acustomer and another area for receiving deposits. More than one depositreceiving area may also be provided for different types of deposits. Forexample, an ATM may have one opening for receiving envelope deposits,and a separate opening for receiving negotiable instruments, such aschecks. ATMs may also have a particular area for delivering receipts tothe customer. If the machine has the capability of printing a completeaccount statement on larger paper an additional area may be providedwhere statement sheets are delivered.

Having different areas on the customer interface of an ATM to receiveand provide different types of sheets is required because each type ofsheet is processed by a different mechanism within the machine. Each ofthese mechanisms has its own separate access to the customer. This makesmachines with different features substantially different from othermachines and adds complexity to their operation. Providing severaldifferent passageways and transports for receiving and providing sheetmaterials to customers also adds complexity and cost to a machine.

While the drawbacks associated with multiple sheet delivery andreceiving openings is easily appreciated with regard to ATMs, otherautomated banking machines have similar drawbacks. For example themachines used by bank tellers to count currency received from customersare generally totally different machines than those used to dispensecurrency that is to be provided by the teller to a customer. Separatemachines are also provided for receiving and imaging checks and othertypes of negotiable instruments and documents of value. Often a separateterminal is provided to print a record of a transaction for a customer.The drawbacks associated with having different machine interfaces toreceive and deliver documents is common to automated banking machinesother than ATMs. Thus there exists a need for an automated bankingmachine that has a simpler user interface, which is capable of receivingas well as providing various types of sheets through a single opening,and which may be capable of carrying out a variety of transactions.

OBJECTS OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

It is an object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention toprovide an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine which has a simplercustomer interface.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine which has a singleopening for receiving and providing various types of sheets anddocuments.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine which performs aplurality of banking transaction functions and which has a compactphysical size.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine that may be morereadily configured to provide different banking functions.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine that is economical tomanufacture and operate.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine that accepts anddelivers various types of banking documents in a stack from and tocustomers, respectively.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine that enablesselectively separating sheets from a stack and processing such sheets indifferent ways depending upon the type of sheet.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine that enablesselectively assembling document sheets into a stack.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a method for operation of an automated bankingmachine in which sheets are selectively removed from a stack bytransporting the stack in a first transport path through an intersectionwith a second transport path, in which a sheet directing apparatusadjacent to the intersection selectively separates sheets from thestack.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a method for operation of an automated bankingmachine in which a sheet moving in a first transport path and a sheetmoving in a second transport path are brought together in alignedrelation to form a stack, as the sheets pass through an intersection ofthe first and second transport paths.

Further objects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention willremain apparent in the following Detailed Description of ExemplaryEmbodiments and the appended claims.

The foregoing objects are accomplished in an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention by an automated banking machine having a transportwhich moves sheets or stacks of sheets along a first transport path. Thefirst transport path extends from a user accessible opening on aninterface of the machine. The machine also includes an internal secondtransport path for transporting sheets. The second transport path meetsthe first transport path at an intersection. A sheet directing apparatusis positioned adjacent to the intersection. The machine further includesat least one sheet dispensing device and at least one sheet acceptingdevice for dispensing and receiving sheets, respectively. The sheetdispensing and receiving devices are in operative connection with eitherthe first or second transport paths.

In operation of the machine a stack of sheets which may include varioustypes of documents is received from a user is moved from the openingalong the first transport path. As the stack passes the intersection thesheet directing apparatus is selectively operative to separate a sheetfrom the stack and direct the sheet into the second transport path. Oncein the second transport path the separated sheet may be handledindividually for processing or storage in the machine. Passing the stackthrough the intersection enables selectively removing sheets from thestack in response to operation of the sheet directing apparatus.

Sheets dispensed or otherwise held in the machine are enabled to beassembled into a stack by moving a sheet in the first transport path. Asheet in the second transport path is moved to the intersection incoordinated relation with the first sheet. The first and second sheetsengage in aligned relation and form a stack in the first transport pathas the sheets move through the intersection. Additional sheets areselectively added to the stack as the stack is thereafter again movedthrough the intersection while successive sheets are brought to theintersection through the second transport path. Various types of sheetsare selectively assembled into the stack in the operation of themachine. Control circuitry operates the components of the machine toassemble the stack. Once the stack is assembled, it is delivered to theuser by passing it along the first transport path to the user opening.

In exemplary embodiments data may be acquired and stored which is usableto determine the individual users who have provided and/or receivedparticular sheets from the machine. This may enable the machine todetermine the source or disposition of suspect notes for example.Alternatively or in addition, exemplary embodiments may limit thedispense of documents such as checks, money orders or cash from themachine to particular individuals to reduce the risk of money launderingor other illegal or fraudulent activity. Other exemplary embodiments mayinclude other or additional features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an exemplary automated banking machineincluding some features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the automated banking machine shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of the automated bankingmachine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of a first transport path and a secondtransport path in the automated banking machine.

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view of a transport used in theautomated banking machine.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a sheet moving from the secondtransport path to the first transport path through an intersection.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the sheet moved into the firsttransport path from the intersection.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 7 with the sheet moving in anopposed direction through the intersection.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 8 with the sheet held in aholding device.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 with the sheet moving in theintersection and engaging a second sheet being delivered through thesecond transport path, the second sheet engaging in aligned relationwith the first sheet to form a stack.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 10 in which the stacked pairof sheets have passed through the intersection.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 11 in which the stackedsheets are held in the holding device.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the first and second transport paths withthe sheet directing apparatus operating to separate a first sheet from astack as the stack passes through the intersection.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 13 showing the sheetseparating from the stack as the stack passes through the intersection.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the first and second transport pathsshowing a sheet being reoriented by a sheet turnover device.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a sheet passing through a secondintersection between the first transport path and a third transportpath.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the first and second transport paths witha deposit envelope passing therethrough.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing the first, second and thirdtransport paths, with a sheet moving from the holding device to thethird transport path.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the first,second and third transport paths with additional holding devices in thefirst transport path.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing the first and second transport pathswith a sheet moving from the second transport path to the firsttransport path, and schematically demonstrating how the sheet directingapparatus is used as part of a sheet turnover device.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the first,second and third transport paths used in an alternative automatedbanking machine in which two user interfaces and user accessibleopenings are provided.

FIG. 22 is a side view of an automated banking machine housing thetransport apparatus schematically shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a schematic view showing a sheet separating from or adding toa stack as the stack passes through an intersection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown therein an automated banking machine generally indicated 10.Machine 10 is an ATM. However, other embodiments of the invention may beother types of automated banking machines. ATM 10 includes a user orcustomer interface generally indicated 12. Customer interface 12includes a touch screen 14. Touch screen 14 is of a type known in theprior art which serves as both an input device and an output device. Thetouch screen enables outputs through displays on the screen and enablescustomers to provide inputs by placing a finger adjacent to areas of thescreen.

Customer interface 12 further includes a keypad 16. Keypad 16 includes aplurality of buttons which may be actuated by a customer to provideinputs to the machine. Customer interface 12 further includes a cardreader slot 18. Card slot 18 is used to input a card with encoded datathereon that is usable to identify the customer and/or the customer'saccount information. Card slot 18 is connected to a card reader of aconventional type for reading data encoded on the card. Other exemplaryembodiments may include types of input devices other than a card readerand/or a keypad. Some embodiments may include input devices such asbiometric readers that may be operative to receive customer identifyinginputs such as fingerprints, iris scans, retina scans, face topographydata, voice data or other inputs that provide data that is usable toidentify a user. An example of an ATM that uses biometric input devicesand other types of input devices is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,688 thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Customer interface 12 further includes an opening 20. Opening 20 aslater explained, is used to receive stacks of sheets or documents from acustomer operating machine 10. Opening 20 is also used to deliver stacksof documents to customers operating the machine. Although opening 20 isshown exposed in FIG. 1, it should be understood that in otherembodiments it may be selectively covered by a movable gate or similarclosure structure. It should be understood that these features of thedescribed ATM user interface are exemplary and in other embodiments theuser interface may include different components and/or features.

As shown in FIG. 2 machine 10 has a generally divided body structurewhich includes a chest portion 22. Chest portion 22 in the exemplaryembodiment is preferably a secure chest and is used for holding items ofvalue such as currency or deposits. Chest portion 22 has a door 24 whichcan be selectively opened to gain access to the interior of the chestportion. Door 24 preferably includes a combination lock or other lockingmechanism (not shown) which prevents the chest portion from being openedby unauthorized persons.

Machine 10 further includes an upper enclosure portion 26. The upperenclosure portion has components of the customer interface 12 thereon.The customer interface portion 12 includes a fascia 28. Fascia 28 ispreferably movably mounted on the upper enclosure portion 26 and may beselectively opened to gain access to components housed in the upperenclosure portion. A locking mechanism (not shown) is preferablyincluded in the upper enclosure portion of the exemplary embodiment forpreventing unauthorized persons from gaining access to the interiorthereof.

As shown in FIG. 3 machine 10 includes a plurality of devices forcarrying out banking transactions. It should be understood that thedevices discussed hereafter are exemplary and that additional ordifferent devices may be included in other embodiments of the invention.

The interior of ATM 10 is schematically shown in FIG. 3. The exemplaryATM includes devices for handling sheets such as notes and otherdocuments. ATM 10 includes sheet dispensing devices, document producingdevices and sheet receiving devices. Among the sheet dispensing devicesare currency dispensers 30 and 32. Currency dispensers 30 and 32 may beof the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,747, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein, which selectively dispense sheets one at a time inresponse to control signals. Currency dispensers 30 and 32 may includeremovable sheet holding containers or canisters which include indiciathereon. The canisters may be interchangeable and of the type shown inU.S. Pat. No. 4,871,085, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.The indicia on the sheet holding canisters may be indicative of the typeand/or properties of sheets held therein (i.e., currency type anddenomination) and the indicia is read by a reading apparatus when thecanister is installed in the machine.

The exemplary ATM may operate in response to the indicia on thecanisters to adjust the operation of the dispensers to conform to thecanister contents and position. In the exemplary embodiment the sheetholding canisters and other devices, may include indicia of the typeshown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,085. The information represented by theindicia is read by the reading apparatus and the resulting signalstransmitted to the machine control circuitry. The control circuitryadjusts operation of the sheet dispensing and receiving devices inresponse to the signals to conform to the type and character of thesheets held in the various canisters.

In the exemplary embodiment of machine 10 shown in FIG. 3, the machinepreferably includes a note handling mechanism including sheet receivingand delivering devices 34, 36 and 38. The exemplary sheet receiving anddelivering devices may be of the type shown in U.S. application Ser. No.09/390,929 filed Sep. 7, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference. The sheet delivering and receiving devices mayenable receiving and storing sheets in selected compartments as well asselectively delivering sheets from the various compartments. As can beappreciated from the incorporated disclosure, some of the note handlingmechanisms may receive and store notes only, others may dispense notesonly and some may both receive and dispense notes. Other mechanisms mayprocess sheets of types other than notes. Machine 10 further includes anenvelope depository schematically indicated 40. Depository 40 is adevice configured to accept and hold relatively thick sheet-like depositenvelopes deposited by customers in the machine.

Depository 40, currency dispensers 30 and 32 and sheet receiving anddelivering devices 34, 36 and 38 are all positioned within the chestportion 22 of the machine 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the sheetdispensing and receiving devices, except for the depository, in theexemplary embodiment may be interchangeably positioned in the machine.The control circuitry adjusts operation of the machine accordingly basedon the device positions and the indicia on the canisters or devices.

Each of the currency dispensers 30 and 32, sheet receiving anddelivering devices 34, 36 and 38, and the depository 40 are incommunication with a sheet transport path generally indicated 42. Sheettransport path 42 comprises a plurality of sheet transports which arealigned and in operative connection through a rear area of the chestportion. Sheet transport path 42 may include one or more sheettransports of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,638, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein. Each of the depository 40, currencydispensers 30 and 32 and sheet receiving and delivering devices 34, 36and 38 are in operative connection with the sheet transport path 42, andare enabled to deliver sheets to and/or receive sheets from the sheettransport path 42.

Sheet transport path 42 extends through an opening (not shown) in thechest portion 22 of the ATM chest. Wiring that connects componentslocated in the chest portion with components in the upper enclosureportion 26 also extends through an opening in the chest portion and isconnected to control circuitry, schematically indicated 44. The controlcircuitry 44 preferably includes at least one processor in operativeconnection with at least one memory or data store, and is operative tocarry out programmed instructions based on data stored in the memory.The control circuitry in the exemplary embodiment operates the machineto carry out the operations hereinafter described.

Upper enclosure portion 26 includes the fascia 28 and the customeraccessible opening 20. A first transport path generally indicated 46extends inside the machine from opening 20. First transport path 46preferably includes an interwoven belt type transport of the type shownin U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,599, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference. A transport of this type is schematically shown in FIG. 5 andis generally indicated 48.

Transport 48 includes a plurality of spaced first rolls 50 and aplurality of intermediate spaced second rolls 52. Rolls 50 and 52, whichare preferably crowned rolls, support elastomeric belts thereon. Firstrolls 50 support first belts 54 and second rolls 52 support second belts56. Belts 54 and 56 extend longitudinally in the transport 48.

A stack of sheets schematically represented by sheet 58 in FIG. 5, movein engaged relation with belts 54 and 56 in the transport as describedin the incorporated patent disclosure. The configuration of transport 48enables transporting stacks having varied numbers and types of sheets,as well as transporting passbooks and other forms of stacked sheets. Thetransport of the exemplary embodiment is useful because of its abilityto transport sheets of various types, having varied thicknesses andfrictional properties while minimizing skewing.

Referring again to FIG. 3, first transport path 46 intersects withtransport path 42 at a first intersection, generally indicated 60. Ashereinafter explained the exemplary embodiment comprises a separatingmechanism that separates sheets individually from a stack and a stackassembly mechanism that produces a stack of documents. In the exemplaryembodiment, sheets are selectively stacked and unstacked while movingthrough first intersection 60 to enable processing of sheets within themachine 10.

Upper enclosure portion 26 also includes various sheet producing,dispensing and/or receiving devices. These dispensing and receivingdevices may include dispensers or devices for receiving or dispensingsheets similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,747 or U.S.application Ser. No. 09/390,929, and may include removable canisters forholding sheets therein. Such removable canisters may also includeindicia of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,085, which are readby apparatus within the machine. The control circuitry may be operativeto control the operation of the machine in response to the indicia.

Devices 62 and 64 may serve as part of document producing device and mayhold sheets such as blank receipt or statement forms. Alternatively, oneof such canisters may hold blank instruments which must be completed,such as scrip forms, money orders or travelers checks. A further sheetdispensing device 66 may dispense documents that need to be completedbefore dispense such as bank checks or documents that are dispensedwithout further processing such as plates of stamps.

A sheet receiving device 68 is also preferably included in the upperenclosure portion. Sheet receiving device 68 may be used for holdingsheets such as checks or other instruments, which have been input by acustomer to the machine and which have been imaged and/or canceledthrough processing in the machine. Examples of check processing can beof the type disclosed in previously mentioned U.S. application Ser. No.10/944,224 filed Sep. 16, 2004, which is incorporated herein byreference. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an automatedbanking machine can cash financial checks. For example, an ATM can readindicia such as an amount from a check, produce image datarepresentative of the check indicia, determine whether the image datacan be accurately identified within a predetermined level of assurance,send identifiable data in a check cashing authorization request to anATM host, receive authorization from the host to cash the check, operatea cash dispenser to dispense cash associated with the check, and printcancellation data on the check. Checks processed by the ATM can beeither stored in the machine or returned to the ATM user.

The exemplary upper enclosure portion further includes at least oneprinting device schematically indicated 70. Printing device 70 may beused for selectively printing on sheets under control of the controlcircuitry. An imaging device schematically indicated 72 is alsoincluded. Imaging device 72 is preferably of the type which enablesreading and generating an electronic image of a document, such as thatshown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,682 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,413 thedisclosures of each of which are incorporated as if fully rewrittenherein.

In some embodiments an imaging device may operate in conjunction withthe control circuitry to produce signals which comprise an electronicrepresentation of an image of a check or other instrument. Theelectronic representation may include all or selected portions of one orboth sides of the sheet. For example in some situations it may besuitable to obtain an electronic image of alphabetic, numerical and/orother symbols or features on the check. For example such data may beanalyzed using character recognition software such as softwarecommercially available from Check Solutions Inc. or other companies todetermine the maker, amount and/or other data pertinent to the check forpurposes of receiving and/or cashing the check.

In some embodiments printing devices or other devices may also serve aspart of a cancellation device. Such a cancellation device may serve toprint or otherwise mark checks or other documents received by themachine. For example, the machine may mark as cancelled checks which arereceived and processed by the ATM. In some embodiments such checks ordocuments may be marked through operation of the cancellation device andthen stored in a check storage location in the machine. In otherembodiments the cancellation device after the document has been imaged,may mark the document as cancelled and return the cancelled document tothe user of the machine. In some embodiments one or more such cancelleddocuments may be assembled in a stack in a manner hereafter discussed,when returned to a user. Cancelled documents may also be returned in anassembled stack with other documents such as a receipt for thetransaction and/or notes dispensed by the ATM as a result of cashing thecheck. The control circuitry may also operate to store datacorresponding to the check and the identity of the user of the ATMproviding the check to the machine in one or more data store forpurposes of record keeping. For example the data store may store datacorresponding to the check with the data that corresponds to a user'saccount number, biometric data, photograph or other data usable toidentify a user. Of course these approaches are exemplary and otherapproaches may be used.

In some embodiments the control circuitry may operate to check the useridentity data before cashing one or more checks. The control circuitrymay also be programmed to limit the risk of check cashing byunauthorized persons and/or to reduce the risk of money laundering. Forexample before cashing a check the control circuitry may operate tocompare data corresponding to the characters identifying the payeeindicated on the check to other input data corresponding to the user ofthe machine and/or to the characters on the check comprising theendorsement. If the payee, user and/or endorsement data does notcorrespond, the control circuitry may operate so that the check is notaccepted or cashed. Further the control circuitry may operate todetermine the amount and/or nature of checks the particular user haspresented at the ATM and/or within a prior time period. The ATM may alsooperate to communicate with other computers in a network to determinethe amount or nature of checks presented by the user at other ATMs. Ifthe user's check presenting activities fall outside certain establishedprogrammed parameters, such that the user's activities may be indicativeof theft of the check or money laundering, for example, the ATM mayrefuse the transaction.

In the alternative and/or in addition a user presenting a check may berequired by the control circuitry to provide at least one biometricinput. This may be done even in circumstances where the user may beidentifiable by data on a card or another manner. The biometricidentification data may be compared to stored data and used to evaluatethe check cashing activities of this particular user. A determinationmay be made by the control circuitry or by a remote computer todetermine if the activities fall outside the established parameters suchthat the current transaction is suspicious and not permitted. In thisway a user with multiple cards and/or multiple identities may beprevented from conducting transactions that might be suspicious in termsof theft or money laundering. Of course some embodiments may alsooperate to cross check biometric data with data on a debit or creditcard or other item or other device presented by the user to the ATM toprovide greater assurance as to the identity of the user. Of course inother embodiments other approaches may be used.

The exemplary handling devices 62, 64 and 66, as well as the sheetreceiving device 68, of the ATM are all in communication with one ormore transports. These transports may be of the type shown in U.S. Pat.No. 5,342,165, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, or othersuitable sheet transport devices. The sheet transport devices form asheet transport path 74. Sheet transport path 74 extends to transportpath 46 and meets transport path 46 at a second intersection 76.

The upper enclosure portion may also include additional or otherdevices. Such devices may include a journal printer as schematicallyindicated by rolls 78. The journal printer is used to make a paperrecord of transactions conducted at machine 10. Electronic journals mayalso be made by the control circuitry and stored in memory. Otherdevices which may be included in the machine are other types of documentproducing devices, audio output devices, customer sensors, cameras andrecorders, biometric sensing devices and other apparatus suitable foruse in the operation of the particular type of automated bankingmachine.

Transport paths 42, 46 and 74 of the exemplary machine are shown ingreater detail in FIG. 4. Transport path 46, which includes one or moretransports of the interwoven belt type shown in FIG. 5. The transportpath has therein a plurality of first belts 80 which extend betweenfirst rolls 82 and 84. First rolls 82 and 84 are selectively driven by areversible drive, schematically indicated 86.

Second belts 88 extend between a second roll 90 and rolls 92, 94 and 96.Second belts 88 are driven by a second reversible drive schematicallyindicated 98. As shown in FIG. 4, roll 96 is selectively movable forpurposes which are later explained. Of course it should be understoodthat the belts and rolls shown in the first transport path 46 areactually a plurality of spaced belts and rolls of the type shown in FIG.5.

First transport path 46 further includes a further transport section100. Transport section 100 is similar to the transport shown in FIG. 5and includes a plurality of third belts 102 journaled on spaced rolls104 and 106.

Rolls 106 have positioned adjacent thereto a plurality of holding rolls108. Rolls 108 are positioned in spaced axial intermediate relation ofthird belts 102. This configuration imparts a wave configuration tosheets and stacks of sheets in a manner comparable to that imparted tosheets held by transport 48 as shown in FIG. 5. Holding rolls 108 andtransport section 100 are independently driven by reversible drives (notshown) under the control of the control circuitry 44.

Adjacent to first intersection 60, where sheet path 42 meets sheet path46, is a sheet directing apparatus generally indicated 110. Sheetdirecting apparatus 110 includes sheet engaging rolls 112 and furtherrolls 114. Rolls 112 and 114 have resilient belts 116 mounted thereon.It should be understood that rolls 112 and 114 are driven by one or moreindependent reversible drives (not shown) under control of the controlcircuitry 44. It should be understood that rolls 112 and 114 and belts116 in FIG. 4, represent a plurality of such belts and rolls which arepreferably disposed in intermediate relation between the lower flightsof first belts 80.

Transport path 42 further includes transport 118 which is adjacent todepository 40. Transport 118 includes a plurality of rolls which drivebelts 120 in response to a reversing drive (not shown). Rolls 122 whichare engaged with belts 120, as well as rolls 124 which are independentlydriven by one or more reversible drives (not shown), are positioned inthe sheet path 42 adjacent to rolls 114 and 96. The purpose of thisconfiguration is later discussed in detail.

As schematically represented in FIG. 4 transport path 46 includessensing devices. These sensing devices are in operative connection withthe control circuitry 44, and operate to sense features of sheets andstacks of sheets in the sheet transport path. A thickness sensorschematically indicated 126 is preferably provided for sensing thethickness of sheets, stacks of sheets, or sheet like deposit envelopesthat move along transport path 46. Indicia reading devices 128 and 130are preferably operative to sense indicia on sheets and envelopes movingin the transport path. The sensing devices may include photo reflectivedevices, magnetic sensing devices or other appropriate devices fordistinguishing currency, various types of negotiable instruments anddeposit envelopes. For example in some embodiments the sensing devicesin combination with the control circuitry in the machine may comprise avalidating device for assessing the validity of notes or otherdocuments. An example of such a validating device is shown in previouslymentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,413, which is incorporated herein. In someembodiments the validating device may additionally or alternatively beoperative to identify individual notes. For example, the validatingdevice may produce through algorithms one or more distinctive valuesthat are generally uniquely associated with a particular note. Inaddition or in the alternative, the validating device may includecharacter recognition capabilities which enable determination of theserial numbers or other unique characters associated with particularnotes. This may enable some embodiments of the machine to store incorrelated relation in at least one data store, data that uniquelyidentifies a note input to the ATM and the particular user who providedthe note to the machine. This may enable the ATM to identify aparticular suspect note and capture the information on the user whoprovided it to the machine. The particular type, position andcapabilities of sensing devices and/or validating devices used in aparticular machine will depend on the characteristics and types ofdocuments which are intended to be processed by the machine.

Various sheet manipulating and processing operations performed by theexemplary automated banking machine of the described embodiment are nowexplained in detail with reference to FIGS. 6-21.

FIG. 6 shows a sheet 132 moving through the intersection 60 of the firstsheet path 46 and sheet path 42. Sheet 132, prior to reaching theposition shown in FIG. 6, may have been dispensed by one of the sheetdispensing devices positioned adjacent to transport path 42 and movedadjacent to the intersection by the transports which make up thetransport path. As sheet 132 approaches the intersection it is engagedby belts 116 of the sheet directing apparatus 110, as well as belts 88.The control circuitry operates the drives which move the belts to workin cooperating relation to move the sheet toward the intersection. Oncethe sheet is passed through the intersection it is engaged between thelower flights of belt 80 and the upper flights of belts 88, and thesheet 132 is carried in the first direction indicated by Arrow A in FIG.6. As will be appreciated from FIG. 4, Arrow A is in the direction ofthe customer opening 20 of the automated banking machine.

As shown in FIG. 7 in the mode of operation currently being described,the structures act as a stack assembly mechanism. Once sheet 132 isfully moved through the intersection in the first transport path 146,movement of the sheet in the first direction is stopped. This isaccomplished by the control circuitry 44 operating the transport drivesin accordance with its program logic stored in memory, and in responseto customer inputs at the customer interface. A sensor schematicallyindicated 134 positioned in the first sheet path senses the position ofthe sheet. Sensor 134 is in operative connection with the controlcircuitry. Sensor 134 may be one of several types of sensors suitablefor sensing the position of sheets, such as a photo reflective typesensor. Once sheet 132 is in the position shown in FIG. 7, belts 80 and88 are stopped.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control circuitry now operates the components ofthe machine to move sheet 132 in a second opposed direction as indicatedby Arrow B. To move sheet 132 through the intersection in the opposeddirection, sheet engaging rolls 112 and belts 116 rotate to preventsheet 132 from passing into the second sheet transport path 42.Transport section 100 is also operated by the control circuitry toengage sheet 132 and move it in the opposed direction. A sheet turnovermember 136 later described in detail, is moved to enable sheet 132 topass roll 82 in the first sheet path.

As shown in FIG. 9 sheet 132 is moved in the second direction until itis engaged between holding rolls 108 and transport section 100. A sensorwhich is schematically indicated 138 is positioned to sense that sheet132 is positioned in the holding device provided by the combination ofholding rolls 108 and transport section 100. Sensor 138 is operativelyconnected to the control circuitry which operates to stop furthermovement of sheet 132 in the second direction when it has reached theposition shown. It should be noted that sheet 132 in this position isheld adjacent to second intersection 76, which is the intersection ofsheet path 74 and sheet path 46.

The next step in the operation of the exemplary stack assembly mechanismis represented in FIG. 10. A further sheet 140 is moved in transportpath 42 toward the intersection 60. Sheet 140 may be dispensed by one ofthe sheet dispensing devices, sheet producing devices or is otherwise inthe path, and is moved toward the intersection. As sheet 140 movesadjacent to the intersection it is engaged by the belts 116 of sheetdirecting apparatus 110 as well as belts 88. Sheet 140 is also sensed bya sensor 142 in transport path 42. Sensor 142 is in operative connectionwith the control circuitry. The control circuitry operates to accuratelycoordinate the movement of the sheet 140 in engagement with the sheetdirecting apparatus 110 and belts 88.

As sheet 140 moves toward the intersection 60 the control circuitryoperates to begin moving sheet 132 in the first direction along path 46toward the intersection. The control circuitry coordinates the operationof the drives for the various components so that sheet 140 and sheet 132pass through the intersection 60 in coordinated relation. As a result,sheets 132 and 140 engage in aligned, abutting relation so as to form astack as they move through the intersection 60.

As shown in FIG. 11 once sheets 140 and 132 have passed intersection 60in the first direction, they are in a stack generally indicated 144. Asschematically indicated in FIG. 11, in this mode of operation sensor 144is operative to sense passage of the stack through the intersection andthe control circuitry is operative to stop movement of the stack in thefirst direction in response to signals from the sensor. After sheets 132and 140 have combined to form stack 144, additional sheets may be addedto the stack. This is accomplished by moving the stack 144 in the seconddirection similar to that which is done with sheet 132 previously, asrepresented in FIG. 8. Stack 144 is moved to the position shown in FIG.12 in which it is held by the holding device formed by holding rolls 108and transport section 100. Thereafter, additional sheets may be added tothe stack by passing sheets on transport path 42 and engaging suchsheets in aligned relation with the stack in a manner similar to thatrepresented in FIG. 10.

It will be appreciated that a stack comprising a significant number ofgenerally aligned and abutting sheets may be formed in the mannerdescribed. Because the sheets are selectively dispensed from thedispensing devices and/or sheet producing devices adjacent to transportpath 42, the sheets may be stacked in a desired order as determined bythe control circuitry. For example, sheets which are currency notes maybe stacked in order from highest to lowest denomination, or vice versa.Particular sheets may be placed in a desired location within the stack.Once the stack has been assembled in the desired manner by the controlcircuitry of the machine, it may be moved in first transport path 46 tothe opening 20 so it may be taken by a customer.

It should also be noted that in the position of stack 144 shown in FIG.12, the stack is positioned in the holding device formed by holdingrolls 108 and transport section 100 adjacent to intersection 76.Intersection 76 is the intersection of transport path 46 and transportpath 74. Transport path 74 extends to the devices housed in the upperenclosure portion 26 of machine 10.

As schematically represented in FIG. 16, a sheet 146 may be moved fromone of the devices adjacent to sheet path 74 to engage the stack 144 atintersection 76 as the stack moves in the first direction. This enablesadding sheets to the stack which are housed in the sheet dispensingdevices and/or document producing devices adjacent to sheet path 74. Thestack formed by the addition of sheets from sheet path 74 may be movedthrough sheet path 46 to the customer.

It will be understood that sheets from sheet path 74 may be deliveredindividually through intersection 76 into sheet path 46, and maythereafter be added to a stack formed at intersection 60 in a mannersimilar to that previously described. It should also be understood thatsheet path 74 includes appropriate sensors that are operativelyconnected to the control circuitry. The control circuitry operates sothat sheets from the sheet path 74 may be added to a stack in engaged,aligned relation with the other sheets in the stack as the sheets passthrough intersection 76. As a result the associated structures operateas a further stack assembly mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 15, exemplary machine 10 further includes thecapability of taking sheets in the first sheet path and turning themover using a turnover device. This may be done as shown in FIG. 15,through the use of sheet turnover member 136. Exemplary sheet turnovermember 136 comprises a member including arcuate guides or tinesconforming to the contour of rolls 82. When the turnover member ispositioned adjacent to rolls 82, such as in FIG. 15, a moving sheet 148is caused to be turned over from the position of the sheet in the firstsheet path 46. This is accomplished by moving sheet 148 in the directionof Arrow C in FIG. 15. In the exemplary embodiment the upper beltflights of belt 80 are part of a sheet path generally indicated 150.Sheet path 150 extends adjacent to printing device 70 and imaging device72 shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the sheet may be selectively moved intosheet path 150 for purposes of conducting printing or marking thereon,such as by a cancellation device, for producing an electronic image ofthe sheet by an imaging device, or both. Of course other or differentfunctions may be performed.

Once the printing or imaging activity has been conducted on the sheet insheet path 150, the sheet may be returned to the first sheet path 46.Once the sheet 148 is returned to the first sheet path it may beselectively moved to one of the other sheet paths 42 or 74. From thesesheet paths it may be directed into and stored in an appropriate sheetstorage device or location in the machine. Alternatively, sheet 148 maybe selectively moved to be combined in a stack with other sheets atintersections 60 or 76. This may in some embodiments provide for thedelivery of cancelled checks to a user. Such cancelled checks may bedelivered in a stack with other checks, receipts, notes or otherdocuments.

In some embodiments the sheet turnover members 136 may be configured sothat sheets in transport path 150 may be directly added to a stack ofsheets at the intersection of sheet path 46 and the turnover device.This is accomplished by configuring or moving the turnover member sothat the tines in the lower position do not interfere with the passageof a stack of sheets in the first direction past the turnover member.This feature provides yet another stack assembly mechanism and may beparticularly advantageous when a customer receipt is printed on a sheetby the printer in sheet path 150, and it is desired to have the receiptat the top of the stack. This may be achieved by positioning the stackin the holding device formed by holding rolls 108 and transport section100, and moving the stack in the first direction to the right in FIG. 15as the printed receipt sheet is engaged in aligned relation with the topof the stack as the stack moves toward opening 20.

It should be understood that in other embodiments, sheets from paths 74and 42, as well as from path 150, may all be added to a stack as thestack moves from the holding device provided by transport section 100and holding rolls 108, in the first direction toward the customer. Thiscan be readily envisioned from the schematic view shown in FIG. 16 withthe stack 144 moving to the right as shown, and sheets being added tothe stack as the stack passes roll 82 and again as the stack movesthrough intersection 60. As will be appreciated by those skilled in theart, numerous configurations and operations of the system may beprovided depending on the functions carried out by the machine as wellas the programming and configuration of the control circuitry.

It should be understood that other sheet turnover devices, other than,or in addition to turnover member 136, may be provided in otherembodiments. For example, in FIG. 18 a directing member 152 is shown incooperating relation with roll 108. Directing member 152 is selectivelymovable between the position shown, wherein it is adjacent to roll 108and the position shown in phantom. As represented in FIG. 18, when thedirecting member 152 is in the position shown it is operative to directa sheet 154 that is held in the holding device formed by transportsection 110 and holding rolls 108 into transport path 74. Sheet 154 maybe moved in transport path 74 to a sheet handling device for storagetherein in the manner previously discussed.

Alternatively, turnover of the sheet 154 may be accomplished by movingit into transport path 174 and thereafter disposing directing member 152away from roll 108. Once this is done, sheet 154 may again be directedinto path 146 and moved to the right as shown in FIG. 18 so that sheet154 will move in a manner comparable to that of sheet 146 shown in FIG.16. This will result in the orientation of sheet 154 being reversed insheet path 46 from its original orientation.

The components adjacent to intersection 60 may also be operated as asheet turnover device. This is represented schematically in FIG. 20.This is accomplished by having a sheet 156 initially positioned in thefirst sheet path similar to sheet 132 in FIG. 7. The sheet is then movedinto the second sheet path at intersection 60 by operating the sheetdirecting apparatus 110 in a manner that is later discussed in detail.Once sheet 156 is in the second sheet path, the direction of belts 88and 116 is reversed while the lower flights of belt 80 are moved to movethe sheet in the second direction indicated by Arrow B. This results inthe sheet being turned over from its original orientation in thetransport.

It should be further understood that sheets which originate in transportpath 42 may also be directed in the manner shown in FIG. 20. Thisfeature enables selectively positioning sheets and turning them overthrough a number of different mechanisms this enhances the capabilitiesof the exemplary automated banking machine.

A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that it includesa separating mechanism for separating sheets from a stack as representedschematically in FIGS. 13 and 14. The exemplary embodiment shownincludes the capability of selectively separating a sheet from a stackof sheets as the stack passes through the intersection 60 of transportpath 46 and transport path 42. As schematically represented in FIG. 13,a stack of sheets 158 moves in the direction indicated by Arrow B intransport path 46. Although stack 158 is shown as a stack of foursheets, it should be understood that the stack may comprise a greater orlesser number of sheets. Stack 158 may be a stack of sheets receivedfrom a user of the machine through opening 20 and may consist ofdifferent sheet types. For example in some embodiments stacks acceptedin the machine may include stacks of mixed notes, checks and/or othertypes of sheets

As stack 158 moves toward intersection 60 the control circuitry of themachine operates sheet directing apparatus 110 so that rolls 112 and114, and belts 116 journaled thereon, move relative to the stack in adirection opposed to the direction of stack movement. As a result ofthis movement by the sheet directing apparatus, a first sheet 160 whichbounds a first side of the stack, is frictionally engaged by belts 116and is stripped and separated from the stack. The first sheet 160 isdirected into the sheet path 42 as the stack which comprises theremaining sheets continues on path 46. This enables sheet 160 to behandled separately by the devices adjacent to path 42, or to be laterbrought individually back to path 46 for individual transport to devicesadjacent to other paths.

It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment a sensor 162 ispositioned adjacent to path 42. Sensor 162 may be a photo electricsensor connected to the control circuitry for sensing the position ofthe sheet. Alternatively, sensor 162 may comprise a plurality of similaror different sensors adapted for sensing features of a sheet. Sensor 162may be part of a validation device such as that previously discussedthat is suitable for determining note type and denomination. Thisenables the control circuitry to properly identify a currency sheet andplace it in a designated note handling mechanism, storage position orother the sheet receiving device. Sensors 162 may alternatively operatein connection with the control circuitry to provide a validationmechanism to determine or assess the genuineness of a sheet. In otherembodiments other features such as magnetic ink indicia, bar coding andother features may be detected for purposes of identifying the type ofsheet as it moves past the sensors.

As previously mentioned, in some embodiments the validation device maybe operative to identify particular sheets, such as by serial number orother characteristics. In some embodiments such information may bestored for suspect notes, and in others for all or certain selectedcategories of notes. Such data concerning individual notes may be storedin a data store in correlated relation with information usable todetermine the identity of the user who provided the note to the machine.Other data may be stored as well, such as for example, the storagelocation or position where the note is stored in the machine or otherinformation that can be used to recover the particular note and/or todocument the transaction.

In some embodiments the machine may hold in a data store, identifyinginformation related to notes for purposes of comparison to notesprovided to the machine. This may include in some embodimentsinformation corresponding to properties, characteristics or numbersassociated with known counterfeit or invalid notes. Such informationused for comparison may also include identifying data for individualnotes already deposited in the machine. Thus for example, if a noteprovided to the machine is individually identified by determining theserial number, the serial number may be compared through operation ofthe control circuitry to stored data for serial numbers of knowncounterfeits. Alternatively or in addition, the serial number of thenote provided to the ATM may be compared to serial numbers for notespreviously deposited or input in the machine. In the event of a match ineither example the control circuitry would act in response to theapparent suspect note in accordance with its programming. This mayinclude capturing and storing the suspect note, capturing additionaldata about the user presenting the suspect note, notifying authoritiesor taking other action.

In embodiments where identifying data on all notes is captured and usedfor comparison, the control circuitry may operate to indicate when thenote has been dispensed out of the machine. This may include for exampledeleting the information about the note such as its serial number fromthe data store upon dispense. Alternatively such indication may includestoring the information indicative that the particular note has beendispensed. The information about the note dispensed may in someembodiments be stored in correlated relation with information unable toidentify the user who received the note from the machine. Of courseother approaches may be used in other embodiments and the approachesdiscussed with regard to notes may also be applied to other types ofdocuments.

Returning to the discussion of the operation of the separatingmechanism, after sheet 160 is separated from the stack 158 as shown inFIG. 14, the control circuitry may operate the transports in the firstpath 46 to move the remaining stack to a position to the right of theintersection 60. If it is desired to separate an additional sheet fromthe stack, the remaining sheets may be moved through the intersectionagain in the direction of Arrow D to accomplish separation of the sheetthat is newly bounding the side of the stack. Alternatively, if thecontrol circuitry determines that it is not necessary to separate afurther sheet from the stack, the sheet directing apparatus may beoperated so that belts 116 and rollers 112 and 114, move in the samedirection as rollers 92 and at a similar speed. This will result in thestack passing through the intersection without a sheet being separatedfrom the stack.

It should be understood that while in the embodiment shown the sheetdirecting apparatus comprises a plurality of rolls having resilientsurfaces thereon that move at a relative speed that is less than thespeed of the moving stack, in other embodiments other types of strippingand separating devices may be used. These may include for example,resilient pads or rolls. Such devices may also include resilient suctioncup type mechanisms or vacuum generating devices. Further alternativeforms of sheet directing devices may include other physical members thatengage selectively one or more sheets so as to direct them from path 46into another path 42.

It should also be noted that in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS.13, 14 and 23, sheets may be separated from a stack as the stack movesfrom right to left. However, in other embodiments it may be desirable toarrange the sheet directing apparatus so that sheets may be separatedfrom a stack when the stack moves in either direction. This may bereadily accomplished through arrangements of resilient rollers or otherstripping devices or members which may be selectively actuated to engageand separate a sheet upon passage of a stack through an intersection.This configuration may have advantages in other embodiments wheregreater speed in sheet separation is desired.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing discussion, in some bankingmachines it may be desirable to process certain sheets individually. Forexample, if it is determined that a sheet separated from a stack is acheck or other negotiable instrument that must be transferred to theimaging device, it may be desirable to clear a path which enables thesheet requiring such handling to be transported individually. This canbe accomplished by disposing the stack of sheets that are not currentlybeing processed individually away from the single sheet in first path46. In this manner the sheet requiring individual handling can betransferred to path 150 or such other location as may be necessarywithout causing the remaining stack to undergo transport to anundesirable location.

A further alternative to facilitate individual handling of particularsheets is represented by the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 19. Inthis embodiment path 46 includes three separately controlled transportsections 164, 166 and 168. Transport section 164 is similar to thetransport previously discussed, except that its belts terminate at rolls170 and 172. Transport section 166 may include an interwoven belttransport similar to that shown in FIG. 5 with the exception that itsbelts are offset from those in transport section 164. Transport section166 may be driven by one or more independent reversible drives fromtransport section 164. The drive for transport section 166 is inoperative connection with and operates under the control of the controlcircuitry.

Transport section 166 terminates in rolls 174 and 176. Rolls 174 and 176are coaxial with other rolls that are spaced intermediate thereto thatare part of transport section 168. Transport section 168 terminates atrolls 178 and 180 which are adjacent to a customer accessible openingindicated 182. Transport section 168 is operated by at least oneindependent reversible drive in response to the control circuitry.

Transport sections 166 and 168 along path 46 provide locations in whichdocuments or stacks of documents may be temporarily stored as otherdocuments are routed through intersections 60 and 76. After thenecessary processing is done on the individual documents, the documentsthat are temporarily stored in the transport sections 166 and 168 may bemoved to other transport sections for further processing. It should beunderstood that transport sections 166 and 168 include appropriatesensors for sensing the positions of the documents being temporarilystored therein which enables the control circuitry to coordinatemovement thereof.

A further advantage of the exemplary embodiment described herein is thatnot only may the automated banking machine 10 accept individualdocuments and stacks of documents from a customer, but it may alsoaccept conventional deposit envelopes. As shown in FIG. 17 a thick sheetlike deposit envelope 184 may be moved along path 46 from a customer.The identification of the deposited item as a deposit envelope may bemade based on readings from sensors 126, 128 or 130 as shown in FIG. 4,or alternatively or in addition based on customer inputs through one ormore input devices at the customer interface 12 of the machine.

Deposit envelope 184 moves in transport path 46 in the direction ofArrow E as shown in FIG. 17. Upon determining that the item moving inthe transport path is a deposit envelope, the control circuitry operatesthe sheet directing apparatus 110 to direct the envelope into transportpath 42. The control circuitry also enables roll 96 and belts 88 to movein the direction indicated by Arrow F. This causes the flight of belt 88to move to the position shown in phantom in FIG. 4. This enables theenvelope to move into the depository device 40 (see FIG. 3) in which itmay be stacked in aligned relation with other envelopes. Further thecontrol circuitry may also operate transport 118 and rolls 124 shown inFIG. 4 to assure that envelope 184 does not pass further along sheettransport path 42 than the depository 40.

The ability of the embodiment of the automated banking machine to handledepository envelopes, stacks of sheets and individual sheets, providesenhanced functionality for the machine. The ability of the exemplaryembodiment to accept thick items in the area of path 42 adjacent to theintersection, also enables the control circuitry to use the areaadjacent to the intersection as a temporary storage location for stacksof sheets. This may be desirable in some embodiments where a receiptform is delivered on transport path 74 and must be directed to transportpath 150 for printing thereon before being combined with a stack to bedelivered to a customer.

The exemplary embodiment of the ATM has the capability of storing theassembled stack of sheets adjacent to intersection 60 in transport path42 until such time as the printed receipt is moved into the intersectionalong first path 46. As the receipt form is produced by a documentproducing device and moved into the intersection 60 by transport section100, the stack is moved into the intersection in coordinated relationtherewith so that the printed receipt is assembled into the stack andpositioned at the top side of the stack. The assembled stack may bemoved along transport path 46 to the opening where it may be taken bythe customer.

In some embodiments the ATM may also operate to provide certain types ofdocuments in exchange for other documents. As previously discussed, someembodiments may receive checks or other instruments, validate the check,and provide the user with currency notes. In some embodiments, a usermay provide notes to the ATM and receive other types of documents suchas money orders, scrip, vouchers, gift certificates or bank checks. Insome embodiments the control circuitry may operate in the mannerpreviously discussed to store information concerning individual notes ina data store in correlated relation with information usable to identifythe user who deposited the notes in the machine. Some embodiments maystore in correlated relation with all or a portion of such data,information which identifies the check, money order or other documentprovided by the machine to the user.

In some embodiments the ability of a single user to provide cash to theATM may be controlled or limited to avoid money laundering or othersuspect activities. For example, a user placing notes in the ATM topurchase money orders or other documents, may be required to provide atleast one identifying input. This may include a biometric input such asa thumbprint for example. Such at least one identifying input mayinclude data on a card or other device a user provides to operate themachine, or may be in lieu thereof or in addition thereto.Alternatively, some embodiments may enable use of the ATM to buydocuments such as money orders, gift certificates or other documentswithout using a card or similar device to access the machine. In somecases a user may exchange notes of certain denominations for notes ofother denominations. In such cases the control circuitry may require atleast one identifying input from the user requesting to exchange cashfor other documents.

The control circuitry may operate in accordance with programmedinstructions and parameters to limit the number or value of documents auser may purchase or otherwise receive. This may include comparing useridentifying data with data input in connection with prior transactions.This may be done by comparing user input data stored in a data store atthe particular ATM, and/or data stored in computers connected to theATM. By limiting the number or value of documents a user can purchasewith cash, either overall, for a particular document or within a giventime period, the risk of illegal activities such as money laundering canbe minimized. Further such systems may more readily enable funds to betracked.

An alternative embodiment of an automated banking machine is indicated186 in FIG. 22. Machine 186 is similar to machine 10 except that itincludes two fascias and customer interfaces designated 188 and 190.Machine 186 is capable of operation by two users generallysimultaneously.

The sheet handling mechanism for machine 186 is indicated 192 in FIG.21. The sheet handling mechanism 192 is similar to that described in thefirst embodiment, except as otherwise noted. Mechanism 192 includes afirst customer accessible opening 194 in customer interface 190, and asecond customer accessible opening 196 in customer interface 188.Customer opening 196 receives and delivers sheets through a transportsection 197. Transport section 197 is preferably an interwoven belt typetransport of the type shown in FIG. 5 and is capable of moving sheets,envelopes and stacks of sheets in engagement therewith. Transportsection 197 is operated by a reversible drive similar to the reversibledrives used for the other belt transport sections, and is in operativeconnection with the control circuitry of the machine.

The operation of the alternative sheet handling mechanism 192 is similarto that previously described except that the sheets, envelopes or stacksof sheets that are processed may be received from or delivered to eithercustomer opening 194 or customer opening 196. Because of the high speedcapability of the exemplary embodiment, it is possible for the sheethandling mechanism 192 to adequately service two users simultaneouslywithout undue delay.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the modificationsnecessary for the sheet handling mechanism of the first embodiment toaccommodate two simultaneous users is relatively modest. In theexemplary embodiment it is possible to increase the number of customerinterfaces on the machine from one to two at a relatively small cost.This is particularly advantageous for an automated teller machinepositioned in a high customer traffic area. It is also useful forautomated banking machines, such as those used by tellers to count anddispense currency notes. This is because the configuration of the sheethandling mechanism enables two tellers or other personnel to be servicedby a single machine.

Exemplary embodiments may operate to assure operation in accordance withthe principles of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/664,698 filed Sep. 19,2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if fullyrewritten herein.

Thus the automated banking machine of the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention achieves at least some of the above stated objectives,eliminates difficulties encountered in the use of prior devices andsystems, solves problems and attains the desirable results describedherein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding. However, no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposesand are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions andillustrations given are by way of examples and the invention is notlimited to the exact details shown or described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performinga function shall be construed as encompassing any means capable ofperforming the recited function, and not mere equivalents of theparticular means described in the foregoing description. The inclusionof an Abstract shall not be deemed to limit the claimed invention to thefeatures described in such Abstract.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods, and relationships are set forth in theappended claims.

1. A method comprising: (a) receiving a check into an automated bankingmachine that includes a card reader operative to read data from usercards corresponding to financial accounts; (b) analyzing check indiciawith the machine to resolve data represented by the indicia; (c) sendingthe data in at least one transaction message from the machine to aremote computer remotely located from the machine that is adapted toauthorize a transaction involving the check at the machine.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1 and further comprising (d) receiving withthe automated banking machine a request for the transaction involvingthe check.
 3. The method according to claim 2 and further comprising (e)receiving with the automated banking machine at least one furthertransaction message including authorization to carry out the transactioninvolving the check.
 4. The method according to claim 3 wherein thecheck indicia includes at least one amount, wherein step (b) includesdetermining an amount.
 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein thetransaction includes a check depositing transaction, wherein step (d)includes receiving a request for the check depositing transaction, andwherein step (e) includes receiving approval of a deposit amountassociated with the amount.
 6. The method according to claim 4 whereinthe transaction includes a check cashing transaction, wherein step (e)includes receiving authorization to carry out the check cashingtransaction.
 7. The method according to claim 6 and further comprising(f) responsive at least in part to receiving authorization, operating acash dispenser of the automated banking machine to dispense from themachine cash associated with at least a portion of the amount.
 8. Themethod according to claim 6 wherein step (e) includes receiving afurther transaction message indicating approval of a deposit amountassociated with the amount.
 9. The method according to claim 3, whereinthe remote computer comprises a host computer in operative communicationwith a plurality of automated banking machines, wherein step (e)includes receiving with the automated banking machine the at least onefurther transaction message from the host computer.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 4 wherein prior to step (c), further comprising (f)reading the check indicia with the machine, including optically scanningat least a portion of the check; (g) operating the machine to produceimage data representative of at least one image of the check indicia;wherein step (b) includes analyzing the image data.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 10 wherein step (b) includes determining whether dataresolved responsive to read check indicia has been resolved with atleast a predetermined level of assurance, and carrying out step (c)responsive to the level of assurance having been reached.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 4 and further comprising (f) operating the machine toprint cancellation data on the check; (g) subsequent to step (f),operating the machine to dispense the check from the machine.
 13. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein the automated banking machineincludes an item dispenser, and further comprising (d) operating theitem dispenser to dispense at least one item from the machine.
 14. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein step (b) includes determining micrindicia with the machine, and wherein step (c) includes sending datarepresentative of at least some of the micr indicia to the remotecomputer.
 15. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (b) includesanalyzing both magnetic indicia and visible indicia to determine whethermagnetic indicia corresponds to visible indicia.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the automated banking machine includes anitem dispenser, wherein the remote computer comprises an automatedbanking machine transaction host computer operative to communicate witha plurality of automated banking machines, wherein the automated bankingmachine is in operative communication with the host computer, whereinthe check indicia includes a check amount, (d) producing check imagedata representative of at least a portion of the check, wherein thecheck image data includes check indicia corresponding to the checkamount; wherein step (b) includes operating the automated bankingmachine to determine the check amount from the check image data producedin step (d); wherein step (c) includes sending at least one transactionmessage to the host computer that includes data corresponding to both adeposit authorization request and a dispense authorization request,wherein the data corresponding to the deposit authorization requestincludes an amount associated with the check amount determined in step(b), and wherein the data corresponding to the dispense authorizationrequest includes an amount associated with the check amount determinedin step (b); and (e) receiving with the automated banking machine fromthe host computer, at least one further transaction message includingdata corresponding to both a deposit authorization corresponding to thedeposit authorization request and a dispense authorization correspondingto the dispense authorization request.
 17. The method according to claim1 and further comprising determining whether data resolved responsive toanalyzed check indicia has been resolved with at least a predeterminedlevel of assurance, and carrying out step (c) responsive at least inpart to the level of assurance having been reached.
 18. At least onearticle bearing computer executable instructions, wherein the computerexecutable instructions are operative to cause at least one computer inan automated banking machine to cause the machine to carry out a methodcomprising: (a) receiving a check into the automated banking machine;(b) analyzing check indicia with the machine to resolve data representedby the indicia; (c) sending the data in at least one transaction messagefrom the machine to a remote computer remotely located from the machinethat is adapted to authorize a transaction involving the check at themachine.
 19. Apparatus comprising: an automated banking machine, whereinthe machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from usercards, wherein the card data corresponds to financial accounts, whereinthe machine is operative to receive therein a check including checkindicia, wherein the machine is operative to analyze check indicia toresolve data represented by the indicia, wherein the machine isoperative to send at least some of the data in at least one transactionmessage to a remote computer remotely located from the machine that isadapted to authorize a transaction involving a received check.
 20. Theapparatus according to claim 19 wherein the machine includes a machinecomputer and a cash dispenser, wherein the machine is operative todetermine a check amount from a received check, wherein the machine isoperative to send the amount in a transaction message to the remotecomputer.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the machine isoperative to carry out a check depositing transaction involving adetermined check amount, wherein the machine is operative to receivefrom the remote computer a further transaction message indicatingapproval of a deposit amount associated with the determined checkamount.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the machine isoperative to carry out a check cashing transaction involving adetermined check amount, wherein the machine is operative to receivefrom the remote computer a further transaction message indicatingauthorization to operate the cash dispenser to dispense a cash amountassociated with the determined check amount.
 23. The apparatus accordingto claim 19 wherein the machine is operative to determine whether dataresolved responsive to analyzed check indicia has been resolved with atleast a predetermined level of assurance, and wherein the machine isoperative to cause sending of the data responsive at least in part tothe level of assurance having been reached.